Messi influenced appointment – Martino

Gerardo Martino says he expects that Leo Messi had an influence on his appointment as Barcelona coach.

Martino comes from the same town as Messi, Rosario, and has just left city giants Newell’s Old Boys, having guided them to the Clausura title and the Copa Libertadores semis.

“I was expecting some job proposals and I can’t say I was expecting this one,” he told a news conference.

“The details of how the situation developed I don’t know (but) I have no doubt Jorge (Messi’s father) and Lionel had some influence. I’m sure they were asked their opinion and we’ve come to this outcome.”